Within Electronics Risk
Can Friendly Radios Survive a Microwave Shot?
Shielding, filtering and band-management controls can make friendly communications and sensors less vulnerable during microwave engagements.
On this page
- Which communications and sensors are most exposed
- How shielding and filtering reduce vulnerability
- Why software controls cannot replace hardening
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Introduction
High-power microwave (HPM) air-defence systems can disable drones by overwhelming their electronics, but the same electromagnetic energy can also interfere with friendly radios, radar receivers, GPS equipment and networked sensors operating nearby. The central question is therefore not whether friendly radios can survive a microwave shot, but under what conditions they can continue operating reliably. The answer is that survival is possible, but only when protection is built into the force structure before deployment. Shielding, filtering, antenna protection, electromagnetic compatibility design and disciplined spectrum management all play a role. Without those measures, the same microwave pulse intended for hostile drones may create operational problems for the defending force itself. [NATO Store+2NATO Store]sto.nato.intNATO StoreProtection of Military Networks Against High Power…Description: The report describes the joint efforts and findings of the…
Modern militaries are increasingly integrating microwave counter-drone systems into bases, ships and mobile formations that already depend on dense networks of sensors and communications equipment. As microwave weapons move from demonstrations into operational service, protecting friendly electronics becomes a critical engineering and operational challenge rather than a secondary consideration. [Microwave Journal+2Epirus]microwavejournal.comMicrowave JournalIntroduction to High-Power Microwave Systems13 Apr 2026 — High-power microwave (HPM) systems generate intense electromagnetic energy to n…
Which Communications and Sensors Are Most Exposed?
Not all electronic systems face equal risk during a microwave engagement. Vulnerability depends heavily on whether a device provides an efficient path for electromagnetic energy to enter sensitive circuitry.
Communications systems are often among the most exposed assets because antennas are specifically designed to receive radio-frequency energy. Military radios, tactical data links, satellite communications terminals and wireless networking equipment may unintentionally collect portions of an HPM pulse and conduct that energy into receivers and processors. The same characteristic that makes an antenna effective for communications can make it an attractive entry point for damaging electromagnetic energy. [DRDO Publications+2Electronics For You]publicationsdrdo.inDRDO PublicationsThe Strategic Role of High-Power Microwave Directed Energy…by L Christie · 2026 — HPM weapons radiate short or quasi…
Radar systems face a related challenge. Modern radars rely on highly sensitive receiver chains that detect extremely weak reflected signals. Those receivers are often protected against conventional electromagnetic threats, but nearby microwave weapons can produce energy levels far above normal operating conditions. Receiver front ends, amplifiers and signal-processing components may therefore require additional protection measures. [NATO Store]sto.nato.intNATO StoreProtection of Military Networks Against High Power…Description: The report describes the joint efforts and findings of the…
Navigation and timing systems can also be vulnerable. GPS receivers operate by processing exceptionally weak satellite signals. High-power microwave energy does not need to physically destroy such receivers to create mission problems; temporary disruption, overload or degraded performance may be sufficient to affect navigation-dependent operations. [U.S. Naval Institute]usni.orgdont miss boat high power microwave defenseNaval InstituteDon't Miss the Boat on High-Power Microwave Defense17 May 2021 — HPM weapons could be used to degrade and damage the elect…
Networked sensors create another concern. Modern bases and air-defence sites increasingly depend on distributed cameras, weather sensors, acoustic detectors, perimeter surveillance systems and autonomous monitoring devices connected through wired and wireless networks. The large number of connected cables, antennas and interfaces expands the number of potential coupling paths through which microwave energy can enter the system. [NATO Store]sto.nato.intNATO StoreProtection of Military Networks Against High Power…Description: The report describes the joint efforts and findings of the…
How Shielding and Filtering Reduce Vulnerability
The most reliable protection strategy is not a single technology but a layered hardening approach.
Shielding Limits Unwanted Energy Entry
Electromagnetic shielding attempts to prevent microwave energy from reaching sensitive electronics in the first place. Conductive enclosures, sealed equipment cabinets, properly bonded structures and carefully designed apertures can significantly reduce the amount of external energy that reaches internal components. Military electromagnetic hardening programmes have long relied on this principle because electronic damage often begins when energy penetrates a protective boundary and reaches vulnerable circuitry. [NATO Store+2NATO Store]sto.nato.intNATO StoreProtection of Military Networks Against High Power…Description: The report describes the joint efforts and findings of the…
However, shielding is rarely perfect. Practical systems require ventilation openings, maintenance access points, cable penetrations and antenna connections. Each opening represents a possible route for microwave energy to bypass protective barriers. As a result, shielding is most effective when combined with additional protective layers. [NATO Store]sto.nato.intNATO StoreProtection of Military Networks Against High Power…Description: The report describes the joint efforts and findings of the…
Filters Protect Critical Interfaces
Filters are particularly important because many microwave effects enter through functional connections rather than directly through equipment casings.
Power-line filters can reduce the propagation of unwanted energy into internal electronics. Signal-line filters can limit damaging transients travelling through communication and control networks. Specialised radio-frequency filters can reject frequencies associated with a microwave threat while allowing normal communications to continue. These measures help prevent a single exposed cable or connector from becoming a pathway into an otherwise hardened system. [NATO Store]sto.nato.intNATO StoreProtection of Military Networks Against High Power…Description: The report describes the joint efforts and findings of the…
Military hardening studies repeatedly identify cables and interfaces as critical vulnerability points. A well-shielded device may still be compromised if attached wiring acts as an unintended receiving antenna. Consequently, cable protection, grounding and filtering often deliver protection gains comparable to improvements in the equipment enclosure itself. [NATO Store]sto.nato.intNATO StoreProtection of Military Networks Against High Power…Description: The report describes the joint efforts and findings of the…
Receiver Protection Is Often the Last Line of Defence
Many radar and communications systems include receiver-protection technologies designed to handle unusually strong incoming signals. These may include limiters, protective diodes, switching circuits and other mechanisms that reduce energy before it reaches sensitive electronics. Research into advanced receiver protectors reflects the continuing need to defend critical radio-frequency hardware from extreme signal environments. [arXiv]arxiv.orgarXiv Self-Shielded Topological Receiver ProtectorsarXiv Self-Shielded Topological Receiver Protectors
The limitation is that receiver protection generally operates after energy has already reached the antenna system. It therefore complements, rather than replaces, broader hardening measures.
Why Software Controls Cannot Replace Hardening
As military systems become increasingly software-defined, it is tempting to assume that software controls can solve most microwave-fratricide problems. In practice, software is valuable but insufficient on its own.
Spectrum-management software can coordinate transmissions, deconflict frequencies and schedule microwave engagements around friendly communications activities. Modern HPM systems increasingly emphasise operator control and configurable effects, allowing commanders to shape when and where electromagnetic energy is employed. [Epirus]epirusinc.comEpirusEpirus Leonidas High-Power Microwave: Directed Energy…Leonidas is a solid-state, high-power HPM system, utilizing Gallium Nitrid…
These controls help reduce risk, but they cannot alter the underlying physics of electromagnetic coupling. If a powerful microwave pulse reaches an inadequately protected receiver, software cannot prevent induced currents from appearing inside hardware. Physical hardening remains necessary because damage mechanisms occur at the electronic level before higher-level software can respond. [DRDO Publications+2Electronics For You]publicationsdrdo.inDRDO PublicationsThe Strategic Role of High-Power Microwave Directed Energy…by L Christie · 2026 — HPM weapons radiate short or quasi…
A useful comparison is cyber security. Software can detect and manage threats, but poorly secured hardware still creates vulnerabilities. Microwave resilience works similarly. Command-and-control systems can reduce exposure opportunities, yet equipment must still be engineered to survive exposure when it occurs.
The Operational Trade-Off Facing Air-Defence Forces
Protecting friendly electronics is ultimately a balancing exercise. Every additional filter, shield and protection circuit introduces costs, weight, complexity or performance penalties. Excessive filtering can reduce receiver sensitivity. Additional shielding can increase platform weight and maintenance requirements. Hardening programmes therefore seek sufficient resilience rather than absolute immunity. [NATO Store]sto.nato.intNATO StoreProtection of Military Networks Against High Power…Description: The report describes the joint efforts and findings of the…
This trade-off becomes especially important at sites expected to operate microwave counter-drone systems regularly. A military base may host surveillance radars, air-traffic sensors, tactical communications networks, satellite terminals and autonomous security systems within the same operational area. The more heavily a force relies on electronics, the greater the importance of designing those systems to coexist with microwave weapons from the beginning rather than attempting to retrofit protection later. [Microwave Journal+2Epirus]microwavejournal.comMicrowave JournalIntroduction to High-Power Microwave Systems13 Apr 2026 — High-power microwave (HPM) systems generate intense electromagnetic energy to n…
For that reason, the future effectiveness of microwave air defence may depend as much on protecting friendly radios and sensors as on defeating hostile drones. A microwave weapon that disables enemy electronics but repeatedly disrupts friendly networks would create a new vulnerability. The most successful deployments are therefore likely to combine microwave capability with extensive electromagnetic hardening, filtering and spectrum discipline across the wider force. [NATO Store+2GAO]sto.nato.intNATO StoreProtection of Military Networks Against High Power…Description: The report describes the joint efforts and findings of the…
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Further Reading
Books and field guides related to Can Friendly Radios Survive a Microwave Shot?. Use these as the next step if you want deeper reading beyond the article.
The Kill Chain
Shows why modern forces depend on resilient communications and sensor networks under attack.
Introduction to Electronic Defense Systems
First published 1991. Subjects: Electronics in military engineering.
Kill Chain
Shows why modern forces depend on resilient communications and sensor networks under attack.
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Endnotes
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Source: sto.nato.int
Link: https://www.sto.nato.int/document/protection-of-military-networks-against-high-power-microwave-attacks/Source snippet
NATO StoreProtection of Military Networks Against High Power...Description: The report describes the joint efforts and findings of the...
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Source: sto.nato.int
Link: https://www.sto.nato.int/document/high-power-microwave-threat-to-infrastructure-and-military-equipment/Source snippet
NATO StoreHigh Power Microwave Threat to Infrastructure and Military...The present report describes the joint efforts and findings of th...
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Title: gao 23 106717
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Science & Tech Spotlight: Directed Energy Weapons25 May 2023 — High power microwave weapons produce [microwaves]({{ 'microwaves/' | relative_url }}), which have longer wavelen...
Published: May 2023
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Source: usni.org
Title: dont miss boat high power microwave defense
Link: https://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/2021/may/dont-miss-boat-high-power-microwave-defenseSource snippet
Naval InstituteDon't Miss the Boat on High-Power Microwave Defense17 May 2021 — HPM weapons could be used to degrade and damage the elect...
Published: May 2021
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Source: arxiv.org
Title: arXiv Self-Shielded Topological Receiver Protectors
Link: https://arxiv.org/abs/1910.04684 -
Source: gao.gov
Link: https://www.gao.gov/video/directed-energy-weapons-dod-should-focus-transition-planningSource snippet
targets at the speed of light over kinetic weapons, such as guns...
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Source: microwavejournal.com
Title: Microwave Journal
Link: https://www.microwavejournal.com/articles/45563-technologies-empowering-rf-signal-chain-r-and-d-for-high-power-microwave-systemsSource snippet
Introduction to High-Power Microwave Systems13 Apr 2026 — High-power microwave (HPM) systems generate intense electromagnetic energy to n...
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Source: epirusinc.com
Link: https://www.epirusinc.com/electronic-warfareSource snippet
EpirusEpirus Leonidas High-Power Microwave: Directed Energy...Leonidas is a solid-state, high-power HPM system, utilizing Gallium Nitrid...
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Source: publicationsdrdo.in
Link: https://publicationsdrdo.in/index.php/dsj/article/download/21114/8787/92344Source snippet
DRDO PublicationsThe Strategic Role of High-Power Microwave Directed Energy...by L Christie · 2026 — HPM weapons radiate short or quasi...
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Additional References
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Fraunhofer PublicaThe Threat of High Power Microwaves to Infrastructureby M Suhrke · Cited by 1 — Address the use of high power microwave...
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Source: everythingrf.com
Link: https://www.everythingrf.com/community/high-power-microwave-hpm-technology-in-modern-defense-applications-capabilities-challengesSource snippet
High Power Microwave (HPM) Technology in Modern...17 Feb 2026 — High Power Microwave (HPM) technology is emerging as a critical capabili...
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Link: https://www.onr.navy.mil/organization/departments/code-35/division-353/directed-energy-weapons-high-power-microwavesSource snippet
Energy Weapons: High Power MicrowavesDirected energy weapons (DEWs) are defined as electromagnetic systems capable of converting chemical...
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The PRC's High-powered Microwave Warfare Ambitions9 May 2025 — The People's Liberation Army (PLA) is rapidly expanding its arsenal of hig...
Published: May 2025
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U.S. Directed Energy Weapons SystemsThe Government Accountability Office explains what are Directed Energy Weapons and takes a look at ho...
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Directed Energy Weapons in CounterDrone Missile Defense4 May 2026 — These include energy beams like laser, microwave, or radio frequency...
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Title: high power microwaves more than just a hot lunch
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High power microwaves – more than just a hot lunch!3 Mar 2025 — High-power microwaves are an emerging class of directed energy weapons th...
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Direct-energy weapons: invisible and invincible?by BM Deveci · 2007 · Cited by 15 — This chapter also illustrates and discusses the rela...
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Title: CIA Insider Explains DARPA Directed Energy Weapons | John Kiriakou
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High power microwave weapon shielding electronics defense systems Defeating Microwave Weapons! - Part 1 Tech Ingredients...
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